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Obama calls for Mid-East urgency Obama calls for Mid-East urgency
(about 3 hours later)
US President Barack Obama has called on Israeli and Palestinian leaders to act with a "sense of urgency" in restarting stalled peace talks.US President Barack Obama has called on Israeli and Palestinian leaders to act with a "sense of urgency" in restarting stalled peace talks.
Mr Obama was speaking in New York where he was hosting trilateral talks between leaders from both sides.Mr Obama was speaking in New York where he was hosting trilateral talks between leaders from both sides.
US Middle-East envoy George Mitchell later said resolving the issue of Israeli settlements on the West Bank was not a precondition for talks.US Middle-East envoy George Mitchell later said resolving the issue of Israeli settlements on the West Bank was not a precondition for talks.
He said "many obstacles" remained but substantial progress had been made.He said "many obstacles" remained but substantial progress had been made.
The meeting brought Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas together for the first time since Mr Netanyahu came to office in March.The meeting brought Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas together for the first time since Mr Netanyahu came to office in March.
Mr Obama - who has defined peace between Israel and the Palestinians as a "national interest" of the US - first met each leader separately in what he described as "frank but productive" talks, before hosting the trilateral meeting.Mr Obama - who has defined peace between Israel and the Palestinians as a "national interest" of the US - first met each leader separately in what he described as "frank but productive" talks, before hosting the trilateral meeting.
We have substantially and significantly progressed in reducing the number of issues on which there is disagreement George Mitchell An Israeli settlement in close-upWe have substantially and significantly progressed in reducing the number of issues on which there is disagreement George Mitchell An Israeli settlement in close-up
"Permanent status negotiations must begin and begin soon," he said. "It is past time to talk about starting negotiations. It is time to move forward.""Permanent status negotiations must begin and begin soon," he said. "It is past time to talk about starting negotiations. It is time to move forward."
In a news conference later, Mr Mitchell said the meeting had been "cordial" and at times "blunt", but that Mr Netanyau and Mr Abbas had "recognised the urgency of moving promptly".In a news conference later, Mr Mitchell said the meeting had been "cordial" and at times "blunt", but that Mr Netanyau and Mr Abbas had "recognised the urgency of moving promptly".
He said that while no agreement had yet been reached on the issue of Israeli settlement building in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, there were no preconditions for talks to restart.He said that while no agreement had yet been reached on the issue of Israeli settlement building in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, there were no preconditions for talks to restart.
ANALYSIS Jeremy Bowen, BBC Middle East editor Mr Obama had hoped this would be a mini-summit that meant something. Instead, if it is remembered, it looks as if it will be as another photo opportunity.ANALYSIS Jeremy Bowen, BBC Middle East editor Mr Obama had hoped this would be a mini-summit that meant something. Instead, if it is remembered, it looks as if it will be as another photo opportunity.
The two sides are very far apart, and the Obama administration's Middle East policy is struggling to find a way ahead.The two sides are very far apart, and the Obama administration's Middle East policy is struggling to find a way ahead.
Sorting out the Israel-Palestinian conflict matters because it has a unique capacity to export trouble, to the Middle East and to the wider world.Sorting out the Israel-Palestinian conflict matters because it has a unique capacity to export trouble, to the Middle East and to the wider world.
That is why Mr Obama identified it as a top American priority when he took office - and why, despite the difficulties, he cannot give up on it.That is why Mr Obama identified it as a top American priority when he took office - and why, despite the difficulties, he cannot give up on it.
"Our objective all along has been to re-launch meaningful final status negotiations in a context that offers the prospect of success," he said."Our objective all along has been to re-launch meaningful final status negotiations in a context that offers the prospect of success," he said.
"We have substantially and significantly progressed in reducing the number of issues on which there is disagreement and we hope to complete that process in the near future.""We have substantially and significantly progressed in reducing the number of issues on which there is disagreement and we hope to complete that process in the near future."
Israel has repeatedly rejected US and Palestinian demands for a total freeze on settlement building.Israel has repeatedly rejected US and Palestinian demands for a total freeze on settlement building.
Speaking after the talks, Mr Netanyahu said there had been a "general agreement that the peace process should resume as soon as possible with no preconditions".Speaking after the talks, Mr Netanyahu said there had been a "general agreement that the peace process should resume as soon as possible with no preconditions".
Mr Abbas said he had called on Israel to respect the road map to peace and withdraw to its internationally-recognised 1967 borders.Mr Abbas said he had called on Israel to respect the road map to peace and withdraw to its internationally-recognised 1967 borders.
Low expectationsLow expectations
Mr Obama had hoped to launch new talks at the UN General Assembly, but it appears his hopes for peace in the Middle East remain gridlocked, says the BBC's Jeremy Bowen in New York.Mr Obama had hoped to launch new talks at the UN General Assembly, but it appears his hopes for peace in the Middle East remain gridlocked, says the BBC's Jeremy Bowen in New York.
Palestinian views on summitPalestinian views on summit
Prior to the meeting, the White House had been keen to play down hopes, saying it had no "grand expectations".Prior to the meeting, the White House had been keen to play down hopes, saying it had no "grand expectations".
Israeli and Palestinian participants had also said they did not expect many concrete developments.Israeli and Palestinian participants had also said they did not expect many concrete developments.
Israeli government secretary Zvi Herzog said the talks were "a step in the right direction", but that conditions were "not ripe for a formal re-launch of negotiations".Israeli government secretary Zvi Herzog said the talks were "a step in the right direction", but that conditions were "not ripe for a formal re-launch of negotiations".
Last week, a senior Palestinian official suggested his side was taking part so as not to disappoint the US and that doing so did not mean a resumption of peace talks.Last week, a senior Palestinian official suggested his side was taking part so as not to disappoint the US and that doing so did not mean a resumption of peace talks.
The negotiating process was suspended in December.The negotiating process was suspended in December.
Disagreements over the settlements issue have blocked all attempts to restart the peace talks so far.Disagreements over the settlements issue have blocked all attempts to restart the peace talks so far.
US and Palestinian negotiators have said Israel must fully halt work on the construction of settlements in the West Bank before a new round of peace talks can take place, something Israel has refused to do.US and Palestinian negotiators have said Israel must fully halt work on the construction of settlements in the West Bank before a new round of peace talks can take place, something Israel has refused to do.
Israeli views on Middle East summitIsraeli views on Middle East summit
Mr Netanyahu had previously offered a temporary freeze for several months, but not in East Jerusalem or in cases where homes had already been approved.Mr Netanyahu had previously offered a temporary freeze for several months, but not in East Jerusalem or in cases where homes had already been approved.
He argues that the "natural growth" of settler families must be accommodated.He argues that the "natural growth" of settler families must be accommodated.
Hamas, Mr Abbas's rivals who control Gaza, condemned the talks as "cover for Israeli aggression", while Israeli settlers opposed to a settlement freeze set up a protest tent in Jerusalem.Hamas, Mr Abbas's rivals who control Gaza, condemned the talks as "cover for Israeli aggression", while Israeli settlers opposed to a settlement freeze set up a protest tent in Jerusalem.
Separately, the Israeli prime minister said he would boycott the address by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the UN General Assembly because of his views on the holocaust.Separately, the Israeli prime minister said he would boycott the address by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the UN General Assembly because of his views on the holocaust.
Also on Tuesday, an Israeli-Arab man was shot dead in the West Bank after he tried to run over Israeli soldiers, the military said.Also on Tuesday, an Israeli-Arab man was shot dead in the West Bank after he tried to run over Israeli soldiers, the military said.
A neighbour of the man told the Associated Press he had had no connection with armed groups and was killed "in cold blood".A neighbour of the man told the Associated Press he had had no connection with armed groups and was killed "in cold blood".
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